Do-it-Yourself (DIY) hands-on activities about nanoscale science designed for use at home by children and adults.

Do-it-yourself science activities
that investigate the nanoscale—the scale
of atoms and molecules!
Grant Nos.
0532536 and 0940143
that investigate the nanoscale
Filled with fun science experiments and clear step-by-step
instructions, the DIY Nano book encourages the whole family to
explore science, technology, and engineering on the nanoscale.
A nanometer is just one billionth of a meter—that’s the scale of
individual atoms and molecules. We’re surrounded by amazing
things made possible by tiny, nano-sized structures and
nanotechnologies, from the sticky surface of a gecko’s foot and the
iridescent colors of a butterfly’s wing, to the gadgets and cosmetics
we use every day.
These hands-on activities, developed by museum educators and
university scientists, introduce the fundamentals of nano science.
Using basic supplies and inexpensive materials, you can investigate
some of the tools and techniques nano researchers use, discover
where to find nano in nature, and explore how nanotechnology
might transform our lives, now and in the future.
Do-it-yourself
science
activities
DIY
NANO

This book was supported by the National Science Foundation under Award
Numbers 0532536 and 0940143. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or
recommendations expressed in this book are those of the authors and do
not necessarily reflect the views of the Foundation.
Published by the NISE Network
Copyright 2016 Sciencenter, Ithaca, NY
Distributed by the Science Museum of Minnesota
April 2016
Cover, chapter intro, and activity photography,
illustrations, and text published under an Attribution-
NonCommercial-ShareAlike Creative Commons License.
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/
Stock images are not covered under the terms of Creative Commons.
This book is adapted from the DIY Nano app developed by Lawrence Hall of Science
University of California, Berkeley.
Book and cover design by Emily Maletz Graphic Design.
Cover and chapter intro photography by Emily Maletz.
Activity photography and illustrations by Gary Hodges, Emily Maletz, and Sciencenter.
Other scientific images and illustrations used by permission, as noted.
This book is available for download from nisenet.org or printed copies are available from
blurb.com or amazon.com. When making copies or excerpts, please include the copyright
and credit information above. If adapting the contents, please cite this book as a source.
See pages 134–135 for individual activity credits.

that investigate the nanoscale—the scale
of atoms and molecules!

Acknowledgments
This book reflects the creativity and hard work of many people.
Thank you to the NanoDays and programs workgroups of the
Nanoscale Informal Science Education Network (NISE Net) for
their contributions toward developing these activities in all their
many versions and iterations. These and other workgroups
of the project have included many wonderful developers,
designers, educators, evaluators, and researchers through the
years. Thank you to all of you for your hard work and for sharing
your expertise. A special thank you to the members of the DIY
Nano app development team for their vision of Do-It-Yourself
nano activities. Thanks, also, to all the many others who have
supported and contributed to these activities and to this book
project, including the content and design editors, the reviewers,
and the network leadership group.

This book is
dedicated to all the
curious and enthusiastic
people across the country,
who have celebrated the
exploration of nanoscale
science, technology, and
engineering with us for
over ten years!

Get hands-on with science!
The activities in this book are designed to encourage kids and
adults to learn together about complex scientific content—
in ways that are fun and easy to understand. Activities and
materials were carefully chosen to be as easy to put together
as possible. You’ll be able to gather materials from local craft
stores, grocery stores, and likely your own kitchen!
All of these activities are modified from programs developed
by the Nanoscale Informal Science Education Network
(NISE Net). Funded by the National Science Foundation, NISE
Net is a national community of researchers and informal
science educators dedicated to fostering public awareness,
engagement, and understanding of nanoscale science,
engineering, and technology.
These activities were developed by a team that includes
members from museums and universities across the country.
They have been tested by museum visitors and families, and
have been reviewed for scientific accuracy by researchers.

What Is Nano? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Science Activity Credits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Size and Properties
Egg Drop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Gravity Fail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Ready, Set, Fizz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Smelly Balloons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Heat It Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Tools and Techniques
Mystery Shapes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Draw a Circuit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Mitten Challenge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Gummy Shapes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Nano and Nature
Rainbow Film . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
See DNA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Morphing Butterfly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Sticky Sand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Nano and Our Lives
Space Elevator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Mystery Sand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Invisible Sunblock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Stained Glass Art . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Puzzle Blocks and Activity Sheets
Nano Puzzle Blocks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Nanometer Ruler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Match the Scent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Draw Things That Smell Like . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
AFM Sheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Graphene Drawing Sheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Nanoscientist Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Butterfly Coloring Sheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Robot Coloring Sheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
I Spy Nano! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132

Introduction 3
What Is Nano?
Nanoscale science, engineering, and technology
(or “nano” for short) is an interdisciplinary field
of research and development. Just within the
past couple of decades, scientists have developed
methods and tools that allow them to explore
some of the most fundamental aspects of our
natural world, and to develop new materials
and technologies. Some experts think that
nanotechnologies may transform our lives—
similar to the way the automobile and personal
computer changed the way we live and work.
iStock
Martin
McCarthy

4DIY Nano
Size and Properties
The great potential of nanotechnology comes from its tiny
size. Nano research and development happens at the tiny scale
of atoms and molecules. Some things have different properties
at the nanoscale, which allows scientists and engineers to create
new materials and devices.
Tools and Techniques
Nanoscientists and engineers study and make
tiny things less than 100 nanometers in size.
Sometimes nanotechnologies and materials can
be built from individual atoms! To work at such a
small scale, nano researchers have developed new
ways to investigate and build tiny things.
Nano and Nature
Some of the beautiful and surprising things we
observe in nature are due to special nano properties.
The iridescent color of insect wings, the self-cleaning
properties of lotus leaves, and the “sticky” feet of
geckos are examples of natural phenomena caused
by tiny nanostructures. Researchers can be inspired
by nature to create new materials and technologies.
Nano and Our Lives
Nano isn’t just in the lab—we can already find it in our
homes, stores, and hospitals. Soon, we’ll see more and
more nano in everyday products, such as computers,
food, cosmetics, and clothing. Nano might also be part of
solutions to big problems, such as clean energy, pure water,
and cancer treatments. It’s important for everyone to be
informed about nanotechnologies, because they’ll be an
important part of our future. Since nanotechnologies are still
developing, we can influence what they are and how they’re
used. We all have a role in determining how these new
technologies will play out in our future.
iStock
iStock
Wikipedia
Emily
Maletz

Introduction 5
Our website, whatisnano.org, has even more information, videos, and
linked resources about this exciting field of research.
The free DIY Nano app for iPhone or iPad is a companion to this book.
It includes the activity content and additional videos and resources.
The app is available on the App Store.
Emily
Maletz

Did You Know?
Different physical forces dominate
when things get very, very small. For
example, gravity is very apparent
to us on the macroscale, but
it’s hardly noticeable at the
nanoscale.

Egg Drop
Time
Preparation: 20 minutes
Activity: 15 minutes or longer
Cleanup: 10 minutes
Is it a gooey liquid or a strong solid? Mix
cornstarch and water to make Ooze and then
test the material in an egg drop. Ages 5+
Can Ooze protect an egg?
45+
min

Size and Properties 9
Step 1
Grown-ups, prepare the Ooze in a medium plastic bowl.
If you’re using food coloring, add that to the water first.
Then slowly add water to the cornstarch. When making
the Ooze, you may need to adjust the amount of water.
The Ooze solution should harden when pressure is
applied, but otherwise will flow like a liquid.
Step 2
Kids, play with the Ooze! What do you notice about this
funny material? Try tapping or squeezing the Ooze.
Is it a solid or a liquid? If you get messy with the Ooze,
you should dunk your hands into a tub of water before
washing in a sink. Empty all Ooze directly into the
trashcan or compost, NOT the sink. Ooze can clog
a sink if too much is put down the drain. If saved for
more than a few days Ooze can begin to smell, so throw
it out promptly.
Materials
Ooze:
• 2 measures cornstarch
• 1 measure water
• 2-3 drops food coloring (optional)
Medium bowl
2 large plastic bags
Small plastic bag
2 eggs (uncooked!)
Note: If the Ooze sits for more than a
few hours, you may need to add more
water. Additionally, you may want to
have more eggs on hand to repeat the
experiment a few times.
Safety: Supervision required.
Although nontoxic, do not eat or
drink the Ooze.
1
2

10DIY Nano
Step 3
Time to experiment! Put one of your eggs
into a large plastic bag. Zip it up. Pour
about half your Ooze into the other large
plastic bag. Place the other egg into the
small plastic bag. Add the small plastic
bag (with the egg) to the large bag that
holds the Ooze. Zip it up.
Step 4
Hold both large bags about 8 inches over
a table. Line the eggs up so they are the
same height off the table. Drop both bags
at the same time. What happens? Do both
eggs break?
4
3
Ooze is a
non-Newtonian
fluid

What’s going on?
Ooze is one of many materials
called non-Newtonian fluids.
Most fluids move faster when
they are pushed harder, but
Ooze (and other non-Newtonian
fluids) moves slower when more
force or pressure is applied.
When you slowly stir the Ooze it
behaves like a liquid. The same
force applied quickly makes it
act more like a solid.
How is this nano?
The way a material behaves on
the macroscale is affected by its
structure on the nanoscale.
(A nanometer is a billionth of
a meter.)
Changes to a material’s
molecular structure are too
small to see directly, but
we can sometimes observe
corresponding changes in a
material’s properties.
Nanotechnology takes
advantage of the way things
behave differently at the
nanoscale to make new
products and applications.
Researchers have developed
new fabrics made with shear-
thickening fluids (STFs) that
contain suspended nano-sized
particles. This new material
displays non-Newtonian
behavior, similar to Ooze. The
fabrics are used in a variety
of technologies, from flexible
body armor to protective (and
fashionable) winter hats.
Nanotechnology is helping to
make strong new materials
When you quickly apply a lot of pressure to Ooze, like tapping or
squeezing, it firms up like a solid. When no pressure is applied,
it flows like a liquid.
When it hits the ground, a quick direct force is applied to the
Ooze. The cornstarch clumps together and hardens like a solid,
absorbing the impact and protecting the egg. Then the Ooze
quickly goes back to acting like a liquid.
Researchers are using shear-thickening fluids (STFs) that behave
a lot like Ooze to make new gels and fabrics. These fabrics are
flexible and comfortable when no force is applied, but when
struck quickly they harden and provide solid protection.
STFs make a winter hat more like a helmet
iStock

Gravity Fail
What’s the power of tiny things? Try pouring
water out of a regular cup and a miniature
cup. It’s harder than it sounds! Ages 3+
Do small things behave differently?
Time
Activity: 5 minutes
Cleanup: 5 minutes
15
min

1 2
Materials
Regular-sized cup or glass
Miniature cup or glass (with an
opening smaller than ½ inch)
Container of water, large enough
to dip the cups
Note: Miniature cups can be
found at dollhouse suppliers. One
source is dollhousesandmore.com
(#CB2719). An extra-small thimble
or toothpaste cap might also work.
Step 1
Fill the regular cup by dipping it in the water. Try to
pour the water back into the container. What happens?
Step 2
Now fill the miniature cup. Can you pour the water
back out?

14DIY Nano
What’s going on?
It’s easy to pour water out
of a full-sized cup, but not out
of a miniature cup. The size
of the cup determines which
force is more important,
surface tension (the natural
tendency of water molecules
to stick together) or gravity.
With a regular-sized cup,
gravity is much stronger than
surface tension, so the water
falls out when you tip the cup.
But in a miniature cup, there’s
a lot less water, so surface
tension is strong enough to
hold it in the cup.
How is this nano?
Different physical forces
dominate when things get
very, very small. For example,
gravity is very obvious at
human size, but it’s hardly
noticeable to nano-sized
things like water molecules.
Other forces, like surface
tension, are much more
important.
A force called van der Waals,
similar to surface tension,
lets geckos walk on walls!
New materials
Researchers take advantage
of the ways that nano-sized
things behave differently
to make new products and
applications.
Nanotechnology allows
scientists and engineers to
make things like smaller,
faster computer chips and
new medicines to treat
diseases like cancer.
Millions of tiny, nano-sized
hairs on a gecko’s foot use
strong molecular forces called
van der Waals to climb up walls
and walk across ceilings.
iStock
Autumn
Kellar,
Lewis
&
Clark
College

0 nanometers
10 million nanometers
How Big Is Your Hand?
Try measuring in nanometers!

Ready, Set, Fizz
Why does the exact same material behave
in different and surprising ways? Explore
the chemical reaction between water and
effervescent antacid tablets to see how
much size really matters. Ages 3+
Which fizzes faster—
big pieces or little pieces?
Time
Activity: 5 minutes
Cleanup: 5 minutes
15
min

Step 1
Fill two of the cups halfway with water. Put the same
amount of water in each cup. Add a drop of food
coloring to each cup.
Step 2
Remove two antacid tablets from their wrapper.
Drop one into one of the empty cups. Crush or break
the other tablet into many small pieces, and put it in
the other empty cup.
Step 3
At the same time, pour the colored water into both
of the cups containing the antacid. Which fizzes up
faster, the whole tablet or the tablet you broke into
lots of pieces?
Materials
4 cups or glasses (ones that you
can see through are best)
Effervescent antacid tablets
Water
Food coloring
Do not eat or drink these
materials. The antacid tablets
contain medication.
1
3
2

18DIY Nano
What’s going on?
The crushed tablet fizzes
faster than the whole tablet.
That’s because it has a
greater surface-area-to-
volume ratio.
For the same amount of
antacid, the crushed tablet
has more surface—or
exterior—to react with the
water. Because the water can
reach more of the antacid
immediately, the chemical
reaction (fizzing) happens
faster.
How is this nano?
A material can act differently
when it’s nano-sized. Things
on the nanoscale have a lot
of surface area, so they react
much more easily and quickly
than they would if they were
larger.
For example, nano-sized
particles of aluminum are
explosive. Good thing regular-
sized aluminum doesn’t
explode, or it would be
dangerous to drink soda pop!
Surface area
For example, an extra-sticky
glue can be made from tiny
starch molecules that are
only 100 nanometers in size.
This eco-friendly adhesive is
used to stick graphics onto
cardboard packaging.
A material can act
differently when it’s
nano-sized.

Nano-sized
aluminum is
explosive!
iStock

Smelly Balloons
Time
Activity: 5 minutes
Cleanup: 5 minutes
Tiny molecules are too small to see, but
sometimes we can smell them. Sniff balloons
to find the hidden scents, and match the smell
to the scent molecule. Ages 3+
How can we detect things that
are too small to see?
15
min

Step 1
Grown-ups, put about about a half teaspoon of extract
in each balloon by pouring carefully or using a medicine
dropper. Use a different color balloon for each kind of
extract. Blow up the balloons and tie them securely.
Give them a shake. A hand pump makes it much easier
to inflate the balloons.
Step 2
Kids, investigate the balloons! Smell the balloons. Can
you figure out which scent is hidden in each balloon?
Step 3
Fill in the activity sheet. Color in the balloons. Next to
each one, write the scent that’s hidden inside. You can
also jumble the order of the balloon colors and scents,
and play a matching game!
1
3
2
Materials
Round balloons in a variety of
different colors
Several different scented extracts
(such as vanilla)
Medicine dropper (optional)
Hand pump for inflating balloons
(optional)
Matching game activity page
Crayons or markers
Popped balloons can be a choking
hazard. Many balloons are made
with latex. This activity is not
suitable for individuals with a
sensitivity or allergy to latex.

22DIY Nano
Match the Scent
Color in the balloons to match yours and write the names of the scents on the right.
Then use your nose to match them up!

What’s going on?
Tiny scent molecules are
leaking out of the balloons.
They’re too small to see, but
you can smell them!
Your sense of smell works
by identifying the shapes of
scent molecules. Molecules
are made of particles called
atoms that bond together.
Everything in the world is
made of atoms, including the
balloon you’re holding and
the scented air inside it.
How is this nano?
Scent molecules are so
small that they can travel
through the outside of the
balloon. In fact, they’re so
tiny that they’re measured in
nanometers! (A nanometer is
a billionth of a meter.)
So if you can smell, your
nose is your very own nano-
detector!
Atoms and molecules
Nanotechnologies include
new materials and tiny
devices so small they are
sometimes built from
individual atoms and
molecules!
For example, researchers are
creating nano-sized sensors
that can sniff out very small
amounts of chemicals in
the air. Some of them work
the way your nose does, by
detecting the different shapes
of molecules.
Model of a menthol
scent molecule
Model of a limonene
scent molecule
iStock
Wikipedia

24DIY Nano
Draw Things That Smell Like…
vanilla
lemon

Heat It Up
Make predictions about how quickly some
common household items will transfer heat.
Then figure out why some materials feel colder
to the touch, even when they’re all at room
temperature. Ages 4+
Which material moves heat the fastest?
Time
Cleanup: 5 minutes
20+
min

Step 1
Grown-ups, get everything ready! A few hours before
you do this activity make some ice cubes in the freezer.
Step 2
Kids, look at the different kitchen items. Touch them.
Do you think they’re the same temperature? Make
a prediction about which one will melt an ice cube
the quickest.
Step 3
Now, place an ice cube on each kitchen item. Watch
closely! Do the ice cubes melt at the same rate?
Optional: Try melting the ice on other items made
of different materials from around the house. Make a
prediction: line the items up in the order you think ice
will melt, from slowest to fastest. How close were you?
Materials
Ice cubes
Plastic cutting board
Metal cookie sheet
Sponge or paper towels
(for cleanup)
Optional: Other house hold items
made out of different materials
such as a styrofoam plate, a
wooden cutting board, a ceramic
dish, etc.
Advise children not to consume
ice as it may be a choking hazard.
Avoid using additional objects that
may be a choking hazard.
1
3
2

28DIY Nano
What’s going on?
These common kitchen
items are made of different
materials. They’re all room
temperature, but even though
the metal item feels colder to
the touch, it actually makes
the ice melt faster!
When you touch something
made of metal, the heat from
your hand quickly transfers
away into the metal. This
leaves your hand feeling
cold. But when you touch
something made of plastic,
only a little heat slowly flows
away from your hand. So your
hand still feels warm. Heat
transfers quickly from a metal
pan to an ice cube, melting
it very quickly. But heat only
slowly transfers to the ice cube
on the plastic cutting board,
making it melt more slowly.
The difference happens
because of thermal
conductivity. Thermal
conductivity measures how
quickly heat flows through
a material. Metal has a higher
thermal conductivity and
plastic has a lower thermal
conductivity.
How is this nano?
When you use electronic
devices, like laptops, cell
phones, and video game
consoles, they generate a
lot of heat. Dealing with this
heat is very important. When
engineers design electronics
they must consider which
materials will work best to
quickly transfer and remove
heat. For most materials,
thermal conductivity
decreases as the material
gets thinner. As engineers
design smaller, thinner
electronic devices, these
thinner materials can’t
transfer heat quickly enough.
Nanoelectronics
Graphene, a single layer of
carbon atoms arranged in a
honeycomb pattern, is the
thinnest existing material
and it has the highest known
thermal conductivity! Unlike
other materials, the thermal
conductivity of a stack of
carbon sheets actually gets
better as it gets thinner and
thinner until you get down to
one single sheet—graphene!
So as electronics get smaller
and smaller, and generate
more and more heat, new
materials like graphene
may prove to be better at
preventing our devices from
overheating.
Graphene is a single
layer of carbon
atoms arranged in
a honeycomb pattern
Martin
McCarthy

Think About It!
Have you ever noticed that in the
morning, bathroom tiles feel cold and
uncomfortable, while a bathroom rug feels
warmer? The rug and the tiles in the room
are the same temperature, but the tiles have
a higher thermal conductivity and the
heat from your feet flows more quickly
into them—making them feel cold
to the touch.
Emily
Maletz

Did You Know?
Scientists use special tools and
equipment to work on the nanoscale.
The invention of scanning probe
microscopes was a great breakthrough in
the field of nanotechnology. SPMs allow
researchers to detect and make images
of individual atoms and other things
that are too small to see!

Mystery Shapes
Time
Cleanup: 5 minutes
How can you learn about something you
can’t see? Use your sense of touch to
“see” an object and then make a drawing.
How similar does it look? Ages 3+
Can you see by feeling?
20+
min

Tools and Techniques 33
Step 1
Grown-ups, get everything ready! Pick out a few
objects and place them in the pillowcase, but be
sure to keep the other objects out of sight.
Step 2
Kids, investigate the hidden objects! Without
looking, put your hands into the pillowcase. What
do you feel? Draw a picture or use detailed words
to describe what you feel inside the bag.
Step 3
Compare! Now, take the object out of the bag and
compare it to your picture. What information does
your drawing include? What’s missing?
Materials
Pillow case (or other opaque sack-like bag)
Assorted small objects (such as letter
blocks, rubber balls, small plastic animals
or toys)
Paper (draw right in the book, or use
scrap paper)
Pens or pencils
Bandana or eye mask (optional)
Note: Online craft stores sell ready-made
assortments of different plastic shapes.
Safety: Avoid using objects that may be
a choking or puncture hazard.
1
3
2

34DIY Nano
What’s going on?
When you feel a mystery shape
in the bag and draw an image
of what it looks like, you’re
modeling the way that a special
tool called a scanning probe
microscope (SPM) works. Your
hand is acting like the sensing
part of the SPM, while your brain
acts like the computer program
that creates a picture of what
the tool “feels.”
SPMs let us make images of
tiny, nano-sized things like
atoms that are much too small
to see, even with powerful light
microscopes.
How is this nano?
Scientists use special tools
and equipment to work on the
nanoscale. Scanning probe
microscopes (SPMs) allow
researchers to detect and make
images of objects measured in
nanometers—or even smaller.
A nanometer is a billionth of a
meter. That’s really, really small.
Scanning probe
microscopes
The invention of SPMs was a
great breakthrough in the field
of nanotechnology.
Once scientists could make
pictures of things as small as
individual atoms, they could
begin to manipulate and study
things at this super-tiny scale.
Without SPMs, nanotechnology
wouldn’t be where it is today!
Researcher using an SPM
SPMs use a super-
sharp tip to move across a
nanoscale surface. By dragging
this tip around on different surfaces
and recording the bumps and
grooves, scientists are able to piece
together what a surface looks
like at the atomic level.
This is the tip of
an SPM magnified
1000x
Charles
Harrington
Photography,
Cornell
NanoScale
Science
&
Technology
Facility
Cleanroom
SecretDisc

laser beam
tip cantilever
photodiode
sample
force between
sample surface and tip
laser beam
tip
photodiode
photodiode
ATOMIC FORCE MICROSCOPES,
or AFMs, are a kind of scanning probe
microscope. AFMs have a probe tip
mounted on the end of a cantilever.
When the tip is near the sample
surface, the cantilever is deflected,
or moved, by a force.
AFMs can detect many kinds of
forces, including physical contact,
electrostatic forces, and magnetic
forces. The deflection is measured
by a laser that is reflected off the top
of the cantilever and into an array of
photodiodes. AFMs can detect tiny
deflections—as small as a fraction of
a nanometer!
To analyze a sample, the AFM tip is
moved back and forth across the
surface many times. A computer
program combines the data and
creates an image.
What do you feel in the bag? Draw a picture!
When you feel an object and draw it, you’re modeling the way an SPM works.
This special tool “feels” a nanoscale surface and makes an image of it.
Emily
Maletz

Draw a Circuit
Time
Activity: 15 minutes
Cleanup: 5 minutes
How is a pencil like an electrical wire? Complete
an electrical circuit using graphite (pencil “lead”)
to make a light bulb shine. Ages 5+
Can a pencil conduct electricity?
35
min

GRAPHITE
LED
RESISTOR
9V
Step 1
Grown-ups, make the battery and bulb circuit!
Follow the diagram.
Step 2
Kids, lay down some graphite! (Graphite is the real
name for pencil “lead.”) Use the drawing pencil to
color a thick, dark box on the piece of paper. Make
it several inches long and around half an inch thick.
Make the box thick and heavy—try not to let any
patches of paper show through.
Step 3
Touch the two insulated wire leads to the graphite
box. Watch the bulb—what happens? Now try moving
the leads closer together and further apart. Do you
notice a difference?
Materials
Soft drawing pencil (6B is best)
Paper
5mm LED bulb
9-volt battery
9-volt snap connectors
330-ohm resistor
Two insulated wire leads
Notes: Battery and bulb circuit
materials can be purchased from
radioshack.com (LED bulb #276-
021, 9v battery #55039849, battery
connectors #270-324, resistor #271-
1113, insulated leads #278-1156).
Safety: Supervision required. Small
objects can be a choking hazard.
1
3
2

38DIY Nano
What’s going on?
The bulb lights up! The graphite
on the card conducts electricity,
completing the electrical circuit.
Graphite is commonly called
“pencil lead,” but it’s actually not
lead at all. Graphite is a mineral
made of many layers of carbon
stacked on top of each other.
How is this nano?
Graphene is a single layer of
carbon atoms arranged in a
honeycomb pattern. It’s the
thinnest material in the world!
In 2010, Andre Geim and
Konstantin Novoselov won a
Nobel Prize in Physics for creating
a material called graphene out
of graphite. Their celebrated
method was simple. They used
ordinary transparent tape to peel
apart layers of graphite until it
was very thin. They measured
their results and found out that
they’d made graphene.
Graphene
In the field of nanotechnology,
scientists and engineers make
new, nano-sized materials
and devices. (A nanometer is a
billionth of a meter.) Graphene
is an example of a nano-sized
material.
Graphene has a lot of potential
in nanotechnology because of
its useful properties. It’s flexible,
super strong, nearly transparent,
and conducts electricity. One
day, graphene could be used to
make see-through, bendable
electronic displays, and tiny, fast
computer chips.
Flexible graphene circuit
Ji
Hye
Hong

Draw Graphene!
Continue the graphene structure by adding more carbon atoms
arranged in a honeycomb pattern.
Graphene is
only one atom
thick!
Graphene is
only one atom
thick!
iStock

Mitten Challenge
Time
Activity: 5 minutes
Cleanup: 5 minutes
Try putting together toy bricks—wearing
oven mitts! The right tool for the job can
make a big difference, and your hands are
just the right size for this task. Ages 3+
What’s the right tool for the job?
15
min

1 2
Materials
Lego® or Duplo® type building blocks
Oven mitts
Note: Larger Duplo-sized building
blocks are better for young kids,
while smaller Lego-sized ones are
better for older kids.
Safety: Supervision required. Small
building bricks can be a choking
hazard for young children.
Step 1
Put on a pair of oven mitts. Try to build something
out of the bricks.
Step 2
Now try building without the mitts. Is it easier or
harder?

42DIY Nano
What’s going on?
It’s difficult to build small things
if your tools are too big!
Your fingers are just the right
size for building with toy bricks.
Oven mitts cover your fingers
and make your hands bigger,
so you can’t work as easily or
precisely while wearing them.
How is this nano?
In the field of nanotechnology,
researchers study and make
tiny things that are measured in
nanometers. A nanometer is a
billionth of a meter. That’s very,
very small—the size of atoms
and molecules, the building
blocks that make up our world.
Moving atoms around with
regular tools is kind of like
trying to build something out
of toy bricks with oven mitts on
your hands! Like everyone else,
scientists and engineers need
the right size tools for the job.
Tools
Scientists and engineers use
special tools and equipment
to study and make nano-sized
things. For example, a special
tool called a scanning probe
microscope (SPM) lets scientists
“feel” things that are too small
to see with regular microscopes.
Using this tool, researchers
can detect and make images of
individual atoms and molecules.
Researchers in a lab
SPM image of silicon atoms
Your fingers are
just the right size
for building with
toy bricks.
Charles
Harrington
Photography,
Cornell
NanoScale
Science
&
Technology
Facility
Cleanroom
Brian
Swartzentruber,
courtesy
Max
Lagally

Nanoscientists
use special tools and
equipment to study and
make tiny things.
Gary
Hodges

Gummy Shapes
Time
Cleanup: 10 minutes
Use chemistry to “self-assemble” slimy squiggles
and blobs! What happens when you use a lot of
goo? What about just a little? How much of a
gooey mess can you make? Ages 3+
How can things build themselves?
30+
min

Step 1
Grown-ups, get everything ready! Follow the kit
instructions to prepare the worm ingredients. Place
the strainer in the bowl with the salt water. Not all kits
indicate their ingredients. The gooey stuff is sodium
alginate. The salt water is a calcium chloride solution
(often made from mixing crystals with water).
Step 2
Kids, time to get gooey! Squeeze the bottle of goo into the
bowl of salty water. Drip it gently to make little droplets.
You can also squeeze harder to make long worms. Make
sure you squeeze the goo into the strainer.
Step 3
Lift the strainer out of the bowl. Dump the contents onto
the plate. Feel the goo. Is it still liquid? Try squeezing it.
What happens?
Materials
Sodium alginate worm kit
Mesh strainer
Bowl that holds the strainer
Plate
Spoon
Note: Sodium alginate worm kits
are inexpensive and available from
educational science stores, such as
stevespanglerscience.com(#WORM-
700) and teachersource.com (#CK-
600). It’s extra fun to make worms
in two different colors!
Although nontoxic, do not eat or
drink these materials.
1
3
2

46DIY Nano
What’s going on?
When the liquid goo comes into contact with
the salt water, a chemical reaction takes
place and creates a polymer. A polymer is a
long chain-like molecule, made up of many
repeating units linked together.
The polymer forms on the outside surface
of the goo, where it touches the salt water,
creating a shell around the liquid interior.
How is this nano?
The polymer droplets you made are similar
to nanocapsules, tiny particles with an
outside shell and hollow interior that can be
filled. Nanocapsules are very, very small—
a nanometer is a billionth of a meter.
To create tiny, nano-sized technologies,
scientists can use a process called self-
assembly, in which tiny things actually
assemble themselves!
Nanomedicine
Nanotechnology takes advantage of the way
things behave differently at the nanoscale to
make new products and applications.
For example, nanocapsules can be designed
to deliver medicine to diseased parts of the
body, bypassing healthy parts. They can use
much less medicine, so they can have fewer
and less harmful side effects.
The colorful droplets
you make are similar to
nanocapsules—tiny particles
with an outside shell and a
hollow interior that can
be filled.
Nanocapsules containing cancer medication
Gary
Hodges
Katarina
Edwards,
Uppsala
University

Dress Up Like a Nanoscientist!
Gary
Hodges

48DIY Nano
Try this!
1. Have a friend stand a few feet in front of you.
Hold up this card and align your friend’s face
with the cutout.
2. Imagine your friend as a future nanoscientist!
If you have a camera (or phone with a camera),
take a picture!
Tip: To keep things in focus, you may need to
hold your arm straight out and have your friend
move further away from you.
whatisnano.org

Think
About It!
If you grow up to be a
scientist what will you
invent?
Gary
Hodges

Did You Know?
The brilliant blue color on a
Blue Morpho butterfly ’s wings
come from tiny nanoscale
structures reflecting light
back to your eyes.

Rainbow Film
Time
Activity: 5 minutes
Cleanup: 5 minutes
Note: It takes about 30 minutes
for the paper strips to dry.
A drop of clear nail polish is barely visible on
water. But you can capture it on black paper to
see the beautiful iridescent pattern. Ages 3+
How can you make rainbow
colors out of clear nail polish?
15
min

Nano and Nature 53
Step 1
Use the pencil to write your name on a strip of black
paper. Holding onto one end, slide the paper into the
pan. Make sure it’s completely underwater (except for
the end you’re holding).
Step 2
Use the nail polish to drip one drop of polish onto the
surface of the water. (With young children, an adult can
hold the paper and the child can drip the polish.) Watch
what happens—the polish instantly spreads out into a
thin film!
Step 3
Lift the paper up and out of the water. The film of nail
polish will stick to the paper. Does the nail polish still
look clear?
Materials
Shallow pan filled with water
Strips of black paper (Bristol
is best, but construction paper
works)
Clear nail polish
Pencil
Place to let paper dry
Do not eat or drink these materials.
Be sure to do this activity in a well-
ventilated area.
1
3
2

54DIY Nano
What’s going on?
The nail polish spreads out
into a thin film, which creates
iridescent colors on the paper.
The film is only a few hundred
nanometers thick. (A nanometer
is a billionth of a meter.)
The film is slightly thicker in
some places and thinner in
others. The film reflects light
differently depending on how
thick it is, so you see different
colors.
How is this nano?
Thin films can reflect light in
special ways, because they’re
only a few hundred nanometers
thick. That’s in the same size
range as the wavelength of
visible light.
Soap bubbles and oil slicks
are some other examples of
thin films that create beautiful,
iridescent colors.
Thin films
For example, researchers are
creating thin film batteries,
solar cells, and electronic
displays.
nd oil slicks
are some other examples of
thin films that create beautiful,
Did You Know?
Thin films can reflect light in
special ways because they’re only
a few hundred nanometers thick—
that’s the same size range as
the wavelength of visible
light.
iStock
A thin film
of nail polish

Nano and Nature 55
Konarka
In the future, we expect
thin films will be less
expensive to make than
conventional materials.

See DNA
Time
Advance preparation: 5 minutes
(beginning several hours ahead of time)
Cleanup: 5 minutes
You don’t need a lab or fancy
equipment to find DNA—the genetic
instructions for all living things. Learn
how to extract DNA from wheat
germ in your own kitchen! Ages 5+
How is DNA used to make tiny things?
40+
min

Nano and Nature 57
Step 1
Grown-ups, put the alcohol in the
refrigerator to cool several hours
before starting the activity.
Step 2
Grown-ups, prepare the wheat germ
mixture 20 minutes before starting the
activity. Put ½ cup hot water in your
mixing container. Add 1 spoon wheat
germ, ½ spoon detergent, and ½
spoon meat tenderizer (optional). Stir
well. Let mixture settle for 15 min.
Step 3
Kids, let’s extract DNA! Use a spoon (or
an eydropper) to put about half an inch
of wheat germ liquid in the bottom
of your glass. Try to get just the liquid
from the top of the glass, and none of
the gunk at the bottom.
Materials
Isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol)
Hot water
Raw wheat germ
Detergent (dishwashing liquid or shampoo)
Meat tenderizer (optional)
Small cup or bowl for mixing ingredients
Regular spoon
Small, transparent glass for observing DNA
(a shot glass works well)
Bamboo skewers (optional)
Eyedropper (optional)
Notes: Raw wheat germ is available in
grocery stores. If you can find 90% isopropyl
alcohol (rather than 70%), it works better.
Safety: Supervision required. Although
nontoxic, do not eat or drink these materials.
2
3
1

58DIY Nano
5
4
Step 4
Carefully pour about the same amount
of alcohol into the glass, making a
separate layer on top of the wheat germ
liquid. To add the alcohol gently, you
can tilt the glass slightly and pour the
alcohol down the side. Younger children
may need help with this step.
Step 5
Gently rock or swirl the glass. Look
inside. Can you see anything forming in
the layer of alcohol? Don’t be too rough
while you rock the cup—you don’t want
the two layers to mix.
A clump of
wheat germ
DNA

Nano and Nature 59
What’s going on?
That white, slimy stuff you see
is DNA! By adding the alcohol to
the wheat germ, you made the
DNA clump together.
DNA is in every plant and animal
cell. It helps cells to grow and do
their jobs. DNA is an example of
the way things in nature build
themselves, or self-assemble.
How is this nano?
Self-assembly is a process by
which molecules and cells form
themselves into functional
structures.
Self-assembly occurs in nature—
snowflakes, soap bubbles, and
DNA are just three examples of
things that build themselves.
DNA nanotechnology
Researchers in the field of
nanotechnology are using
materials that self-assemble—
like DNA—to create new
materials and technologies
smaller than 100 nanometers in
size. (A nanometer is a billionth
of a meter.)
A researcher at Cal Tech got DNA
to fold itself up into a nano-
sized smiley face!
Smiley face made out of DNA
Did You Know?
When weather conditions are right, tiny
hexagonal ice crystals grow in clouds and
fall to the ground as intricate snowflakes. This
process is known as self-assembly because
snowflakes assemble themselves from water
molecules. Some researchers predict that
in the future, new nanotechnologies and
materials will build themselves the
way snowflakes do!
Paul
Rothemund,
California
Institute
of
Technology
Kenneth
Libbrecht,
snowcrystals.com

Morphing Butterfly
Time
Cleanup: 5 minutes
Nano can even be found in nature! Explore how
nano-sized structures create brilliant color on a
Blue Morpho butterfly’s iridescent wings. Ages 7+
Younger kids can observe, but the butterfly
wings might be too fragile to handle.
Is a Blue Morpho butterfly really blue?
25
min

Nano and Nature 61
Step 1
Look at the front and back of the butterfly. Handle the
butterfly carefully—it’s fragile!
Step 2
Hold the butterfly up to a bright window, so light
passes through it. When you’re looking at the brown
side, does it change color? What about when you’re
looking at the blue side?
Step 3
Set the butterfly down on a table. Use the eyedropper
to drip one small drop of alcohol onto the blue side
of the wing. What happens? Wait a little while—does
anything change?
Materials
Blue Morpho butterfly specimen
Brightly lit window or light box
Isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol)
Eyedropper
Note: Blue Morpho butterfly
specimens are available on the
Internet. The exact species doesn’t
matter—just look for a brilliant,
iridescent blue.
Safety: Supervision required. Be
careful with the isopropyl alcohol—
do not drink it or get it in your eyes.
1
3
2

62DIY Nano
What’s going on?
When you hold the butterfly
up to the light, the blue
side of the wings looks
brown! That’s because the
blue color is created by the
interference of light bouncing
off tiny, colorless nano-sized
structures, while the brown
color is created by pigment.
When bright light passes
through the butterfly, the
reflective effect is lost on the
blue side, and you see the
brown pigment from the back
side of the wings.
When you put the alcohol on
the butterfly’s wing, it fills up
the spaces between the tiny
nanostructures, so they reflect
green light, not blue. When the
alcohol evaporates, the wings
look blue again.
How is this nano?
The Blue Morpho’s wing reflects
light in special ways because
it has tiny structures that are
only a few hundred nanometers
thick. That’s in the same size
range as the wavelength of
visible light.
Soap bubbles, peacock
feathers, and oil slicks are
some other examples of
nanostructures that create
beautiful, iridescent colors.
Nanotechnology
Researchers have created
low-energy electronic displays
inspired by the wings of Blue
Morpho butterflies.
Wing
nanostructures:
Shinya
Yoshioka,
Osaka
University
A drop of alcohol
makes the Blue Morpho’s
wing green
Tiny nanostructures
on the butterfly’s wing

Nano and Nature 63
Did You Know?
Many beautiful things in nature get
their iridescent colors through the
constructive interference of light. Some
bird feathers, butterfly wings, sea shells,
and beetle shells have nano-sized,
semi-transparent layers that create
an iridescent effect when they
reflect light.
iStock

64DIY Nano
Color These Butterflies Blue!
Real Blue Morpho butterfly wings are a bright, iridescent blue.
Surprisingly, their brilliant color is actually created by tiny, colorless nanostructures!
Light waves bounce off the tiny structures, reflecting blue light to your eyes.

Nano and Nature 65
Draw Your Own Robot!
Nano is all around us—in nature and in technology. Some researchers
are inspired by nature to create new materials and technologies.
Invent a robot inspired by nano in nature.
My robot’s name is
Its job is
It could change my life by

Sticky Sand
Time
Activity: 10+ minutes
Cleanup: 5 minutes
Play around with Kinetic SandTM
and learn
about ways scientists are inspired by nature
to create new materials. Can you build a sand
castle? A mermaid? An alligator? Ages 3+
What makes this sand move?
20+
min

Nano and Nature 67
Step 1
Grown-ups, get everything ready! Place each kind of
sand in its own tray or container. These sands can get
messy, so plan to do this activity outside or someplace
where clean-up will be easy.
Step 2
Kids, play with both kinds of sand! Poke it. Pick it up.
Let it fall slowly from your fingers. What happens?
Step 3
Use the cookie cutter shapes to make small sculptures.
Do your sculptures hold their shapes? What happens if
you leave them alone for a little while? What differences
do you notice between the two kinds of sand?
Materials
Kinetic SandTM
Play sand (regular beach or sandbox
sand)
Cookie cutter shapes (assorted)
2 trays or containers to hold the sand
Kinetic Sand is available in many toy
stores or you can order it online from
wabafun.com.
Important: Don’t let the Kinetic Sand
get wet! It won’t ruin the sand, but it
will change its properties. If it does get
wet, just be sure to leave it out to dry.
Safety: Avoid including objects that
may be a choking hazard. Avoid
getting sand in eyes.
1
3
2

Nano and Nature 69
What’s going on?
One of the sands (the Kinetic
Sand) has been coated
with a thin polymer layer.
The polymer layer is so tiny
that an individual grain of
Kinetic Sand looks and feels
just like regular sand, but
a whole container behaves
very differently! The polymer
coating that gives the Kinetic
Sand these unique properties
is polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS).
The PDMS coating makes the
Kinetic Sand behave more like
wet sand. You can sculpt and
build with it, but over time
the Kinetic Sand creations
flow apart and the sand
moves in some interesting
and surprising ways. We think
this odd behavior happens
because the polymer coating
makes the sand stick to itself.
So as a grain of sand moves—
even a little—it pulls other
grains along with it.
PDMS isn’t only used in
Kinetic Sand—it’s used in
many commercial products,
including water repellants,
lubricating oils, and even anti-
gas drops for babies!
How is this nano?
The way a material behaves on
the macroscale is affected by
its structure on the nanoscale.
You can’t see or feel the nano-
layer of PDMS on the sand
because it’s so thin, but you
can observe that the Kinetic
Sand behaves differently from
ordinary sand.
New nanotechnologies
are inspired by nature
Scientists at the University
of Massachusetts Amherst
have used PDMS, as well as
other soft polymers, to make a
material known as GeckskinTM
.
The amazing, sticky properties
of Geckskin were inspired by
real geckos in nature. Geckos
can walk on walls and cling to
ceilings because of tiny nano-
sized hairs on their feet.
Gecko toes have tiny, nano-sized
hairs that allow them to walk on
walls and cling to ceilings.
The sticky feet of
geckos have inspired
new products
University
of
Massachusetts
Amherst
University
of
Massachusetts
Amherst

I Spy Nano! Find the hidden objects in the picture.
They all use nanotechnology!
Pencil
Carbon atoms can form graphite
(pencil “lead”), which is a very soft
material, but they can also form
diamond, the hardest natural material
known on Earth. Atoms are the
building blocks of nature, and they’re
even smaller than a nanometer.
Diamond ring
Carbon atoms can form diamond, the
hardest natural material known on
Earth, but they can also form graphite,
a very soft material. Atoms are the
DNA
DNA stands for deoxyribonucleic acid.
DNA is present inside the cells of every
living thing. It contains the chemical
instructions and genetic information to
help organisms develop and function.
DNA is only two nanometers across.
Butterfly
The brilliant color of the Blue Morpho
butterfly is actually created by tiny,
colorless nanostructures! Light
waves bounce off the tiny structures,
reflecting blue light to your eyes.
Smartphone
Computer chips have tiny, nano-sized
parts. So when you use a smartphone,
computer, gaming console, or any
other electronic device with a chip,
you’re using nanotechnology!
Lemon
The shapes of scent molecules give
them their smell. Molecules are made
up of atoms. They’re measured in
nanometers, so your nose is your very
own nano detector!
Solar cell
New flexible solar cells contain
nano-sized structures and materials,
allowing them to be less expensive
and more efficient.
Sunblock
Many sunblocks contain nano-sized
particles of zinc oxide or titanium
dioxide, which protect skin from the
sun’s rays without leaving a visible
white film.
Ice cream
Nanotechnology is already on the
shelves of your supermarket. Edible
nanostructures make ice cream look
and taste better.
Golf club
Tiny carbon nanotubes make some
bicycles, golf clubs, and tennis rackets
stronger and lighter.

Did You Know?
Since the Middle Ages, nano-
sized gold and other metals
have been used to color
stained glass.

Space Elevator
Time
Cleanup: 5 minutes
Imagine what the world might look like if
we could build an elevator to space. It’s fun
to imagine the future and it’s important,
too! Ages 5+
What do you imagine?
20+
min

Nano and Our Lives 75
Step 1
Grown-ups, get everything ready! Take a few moments
to look at the space elevators images and to read the
suggested question prompts.
Step 2
Kids, start imagining! What if it were possible to take
an elevator into space? Imagine what our world would
be like. Draw a picture of the future world you’re
imagining. What would we need in space? What kinds
of plans would we have to make?
Step 3
Think about it! What might the world look like if we
could build an elevator to space?
Materials
Paper
Markers
1
3
2

76DIY Nano
Imagine an Elevator to Space
SPACE ELEVATOR DESIGNS
often include a base station
on Earth, an orbiting station in
space, and a cable stretching
between the two. The elevator
car moves up and down on the
cable between Earth and space.
Some researchers think that
super-strong, lightweight
carbon nanotubes might allow
us to create a cable that can
support its own weight plus
that of the elevator car, making
the dream of a space elevator
possible.
Mondolithic
What would you need to
bring with you?
What might the world look like if we could
build an elevator to space?
How would the space
elevator work?
Would you need
a power source?
Who would get to use the
space elevator?
Where would your
space elevator start?
Where would you
go in space?

What’s going on?
It’s fun to imagine what our
lives might be like in the
future—and it’s also important.
We have the things we do
today because people in the
past thought about the kind
of world they wanted and
invented technologies to help
make their dreams real.
Researchers really are working
on creating a space elevator,
including scientists at NASA
and Google. They think that
new materials like carbon
nanotubes will make this
technology possible.
If these scientists are
successful, someday it might
be easy to bring people and
materials into space. We all
need to think about the kind
of world we want in the future,
and begin planning for it.
Do you think exploring and
developing space is important?
If so, what kind of society
should we create there? Or do
you think we should spend our
time and money on something
else, instead of a space
elevator?
How is this nano?
Technologies and society
influence each other.
People’s values shape
how nanotechnologies are
developed and adopted.
Researchers think about the
future world they would like to
live in when they create new
technologies. And when people
decide to use new technologies,
those technologies can change
their lives in ways that are big
and small.
An elevator to space
New nanomaterials are
making new technologies
possible. For example, super-
strong, lightweight carbon
nanotubes might allow us to
make a cable that can support
a space elevator. The space
elevator is an old dream:
people have been imagining
the possibilities of taking an
elevator into space since at
least 1895!
Did You Know?
Carbon nanotubes are long, hollow
tubes. They’re very strong and
lightweight. Researchers are studying
ways to use carbon nanotubes in
electronics, fuel cells, and other
technologies.
Artist illustration of
a space elevator
Pat
Rawling
/
NASA

Mystery Sand
Time
Cleanup: 15 minutes
Play around with this surprising sand.
Try dropping water onto it, or sprinkle it
into a cup full of water. What happens?
What keeps it from getting wet? Ages 3+
Can sand keep itself dry?
35+
min

2
1
Materials
“Magic” (hydrophobic) sand
Ordinary colored sand
Two containers for sand (tubs with flat
bottoms are best)
Water
Spoon
Eyedropper (optional)
Note: Hydrophobic sand is inexpensive and
available at toy stores and on the Internet—
look for “magic sand” or “aqua sand.”
Ordinary colored sand is available at craft
stores and pet shops.
Safety: Avoid getting sand in eyes.
Step 1
Grown-ups, get everything ready! Put the
“magic” sand in one container and the
ordinary sand in the other container. Set
out a small container of water, the spoon,
and the eyedropper (optional).
Step 2
Kids, investigate the sand! Check out the
two kinds of sand. Can you see or feel a big
difference? Sprinkle a little water on both
kinds of sand using a spoon or eyedropper.
Now can you see a big difference?
Step 3
Once you figure out which sand is special,
there are lots of other fun things to try! Use
your finger to make a “path” in the sand.
Put a drop of water on the path, and tilt the
tray to make it follow the path. Pour sand
into the water and then scoop it out with
the spoon. Is it wet? Sprinkle a “raft” of
sand on the surface of the water, and poke
it gently with your finger. Can you use the
sand to keep your finger dry?
3

80DIY Nano
Sciencenter
Magic sand is coated with a silicon compound
that makes it repel water. The layer is only
one nanometer thick, so the coated sand looks
and feels like regular sand—but it behaves
very differently.

What’s going on?
The special sand has been
chemically treated to repel
water. This hydrophobic
(“water fearing”) sand
is coated with a silicon
compound. The layer is only
one nanometer thick, so
the coated sand looks and
feels like regular sand, but it
behaves very differently.
Ordinary sand—the kind
you find at the beach or a
playground—gets wet. That’s
because sand and water
molecules are attracted to
each other.
How is this nano?
The layer of silicon compound
coating the hydrophobic sand
is only one nanometer thick.
A nanometer is a billionth of
a meter. That’s really, really
small.
Nano-coatings
Sometimes a nano-coating is
all it takes to make ordinary
sand extraordinary!
A nanometer is a billionth of a
meter. Your fingernails grow
a nanometer every second!
Did You Know?
Hydrophobic or “magic” sand
was originally invented to help
clean up oil spills. It repels
water but attracts oil.
iStock
Emily
Maletz

Invisible Sunblock
Time
Activity: 5 minutes
Cleanup: 5 minutes
Do you remember those lifeguards with
the white noses? Find out why some
mineral sunblock rubs in clear and why
some stays white. Ages 5+
What’s in your sunblock?
15
min

1 2
Materials
Black construction paper
Cotton swabs
Zinc oxide diaper cream
Nano zinc sunblock
Note: You can find a nano zinc sunblock by
looking for a formula with zinc oxide that
says it goes on clear.
Safety: If you have sensitivities or allergies
to lotions, ointments, or sunblocks, don’t
apply these products to your skin.
Step 1
Use a cotton swab to put a very small dab
of diaper ointment on the black paper. Try
rubbing it in.
Step 2
Now use a different swab to rub in a dab of
the sunblock. Try to use the same amount
of sunblock as ointment. Is it easier to rub in
than the ointment?

84DIY Nano
84DIY Nano
Think About it
Sunblocks are some of the
most common products containing
nanotechnology. We think these sunblocks
are safe for people, but some research
suggests that nanomaterials sometimes
affect plants and animals in unexpected
ways. Would you use a sunblock
made with nanotechnology?
Nanoparticles:
Nanocomposix
Nanoparticles in sunblock

What’s going on?
The sunblock rubs in better than
the ointment because it contains
tiny, nano-sized particles of zinc
oxide. (A nanometer is a billionth of
a meter.)
The nanoparticles of zinc oxide
are so small that they don’t reflect
visible light, making the sunblock
transparent on skin.
The ointment also contains zinc
oxide, but the particles are much
bigger. These larger zinc oxide
particles do reflect light, so they
create a white film.
How is this nano?
Sunblock containing nanoparticles
is one of the most common
examples of nanotechnology. Many
other health and beauty products
also contain nano-sized particles,
including cosmetics and toothpaste.
Labels don’t have to say what
size their ingredients are, so you
could use a product containing
nanoparticles without knowing it.
Does that surprise you?
Nanoparticles
Nanotechnology takes advantage
of the way things behave differently
at the nanoscale to make new
The nanoparticles in sunblock
are invisible to the human eye
because they’re smaller than the
wavelength of visible light.
Emily
Maletz

Stained Glass Art
Time
Cleanup: 5 minutes
Sunlight filtered through colored glass is
beautiful. Use tissue paper to make art
inspired by stained glass windows. Ages 5+
What does art have to do
with nanotechnology?
20+
min

Step 1
Pre-cut pieces of tissue paper, strips of black
construction paper, and squares of contact paper.
Grown-ups, you can do this ahead of time or let the
kids use scissors to cut up their own pieces.
Step 2
Make art! Place the pieces of colored tissue paper on
the adhesive side of a piece of contact paper (you’ll
have to peel off the backing). Use the black construction
paper strips to create a border and place them between
the pieces of tissue paper to look like the leading in real
stained glass. Trim your artwork. You can even cut out
a special shape!
Step 3
Now hold your design up to a light or window. What do
you notice?
Materials
Tissue paper (assorted colors)
Black construction paper
Clear contact paper
Scissors
Safety: Take care using scissors
with small children.
1
3
2

88DIY Nano
What’s going on?
The different pieces of tissue
paper have different colors
because they contain different
dyes. These dyes were added
to the paper pulp during the
paper production process.
Since the Middle Ages, nano-
sized gold and other metals
have been used to color stained
glass. Large pieces of gold
usually look golden and shiny,
but when gold gets very, very
small its color changes because
it interacts differently with light.
Nano-gold is used to make red-
and orange-colored glass.
Different nano-sized materials
produce different colors. For
example, green- and yellow-
colored staining can come from
nano-sized particles of silver.
How is this nano?
Medieval stained glass
windows are an early example
of nanotechnology. The artists
didn’t know it at the time, but
a material can act differently
when it’s nano-sized.
Many nano materials behave
differently as they change
size. Even tiny changes make a
big difference! These red and
pink pieces of stained glass
contain gold nanoparticles in
the range of 10–30 nanometers
across, while the more
orange-colored glass contains
gold nanoparticles that are
just a bit bigger—around 80
nanometers across.
Glass:
Emily
Maletz,
Nanoparticles:
Nanocomposix
Pink stained glass
30 nm gold nanoparticles
Light orange stained glass
Red stained glass

The red coloring in some
stained glass comes from
tiny particles of nano-gold.
Emily
Maletz

90DIY Nano
Where Can You Find Nano?
Nano is all around us—sometimes hidden in surprising places. Twenty-three
things in this room use nanotechnology or nanostructures to gain special
properties. Can you find them all?
5 blue butterflies
nanosilver
toy bear
molecular
model
nanosilver
socks
5 peacock feathers
orange
thin-film
solar panel
8 electronic devices

Emily
Maletz

Did You Know?
Tiny, nano-sized hairs on a
gecko’s toes let it climb up
walls and walk across
ceilings.

Puzzle Blocks
and
Activity Sheets
Nano Puzzle Blocks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Nanometer Ruler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Match the Scent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Draw Things That Smell Like . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
AFM Sheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Graphene Drawing Sheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Nanoscientist Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Butterfly Coloring Sheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Robot Coloring Sheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
I Spy Nano! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132

94DIY Nano
Block
artwork
images:
Stained
glass:
iStock,
Gold
nanoparticles:
nanoComposix/NISE
Network.
Snowflake:
Kenneth
Libbrecht/snowcrystals.com,
Ice
structure:
Martin
McCarthy/NISE
Network.
Butterfly:
iStock,
Butterfly
scales:
Rashmi
Nanjundaswamy/Lawrence
Hall
of
Science/NISE
Network.
Gecko:
iStock,
Gecko
foot
“hair”:
A.
Kellar,
Lewis
&
Clark
College.
Motherboard:
Emily
Maletz/NISE
Network,
Processor
and
SEM
chip
detail:
chipworks.com.
Boy
and
buckyball:
Gary
Hodges/NISE
Network,
DNA:
iStock.
Make a Set of Nano Puzzle Blocks
Step 1 Use the block artwork in this book, or photocopy it onto
cardstock or other heavy paper. Printable block designs
can also be downloaded from whatisnano.org.
Step 2 Cut out each block along the black lines. Fold along the
red lines to make a cube. Tuck the tabs inside and tape the
block closed.
Step 3 Build the puzzle! Can you make each picture?
2
1 3
Nano Puzzle Blocks

whatisnano.org
nisenet.org
This
project
was
supported
by
the
National
Science
Foundation
Award
No.
0940143
BLOCK
1
Tiny
“
toes
l
on
wa
Nano
is
all
around
us—in
nature
and
technology.
Nano
is
studying
and
making
tiny
things.
Nanotechnology
may
transform
the
way
we
live.
Nano
is
studying
and
making
tiny
things.
www
.chi
pwo
rks.
com
Colorless
nanostructures
make
this
butterﬂy
blue.
Nano
is
all
around
us—in
nature
and
technology.
Nano-sized
gold
makes
glass
red,
pink,
or
purple.
When
things
get
smaller,
they
can
act
in
surprising
ways.
w
w
w
.
n
a
n
o
c
o
m
posix.com
CUT along black lines
TAPE OR GLUE THIS FLAP
FOLD along red lines
Block designs can
be downloaded from
whatisnano.org

nisenet.org
This
project
was
supported
by
the
National
Science
Foundation
Award
No.
0940143
BLOCK
2
Tiny
“hairs”
on
their
toes
let
geckos
walk
on
walls!
Nano
is
all
around
us—in
nature
and
technology.
A
.
K
e
l
l
a
r
,
L
e
w
i
s
&
C
l
a
r
k
C
o
l
l
e
g
e
Nano
is
studying
and
making
tiny
things.
One
day
Nanotechnology
may
transform
the
way
we
live.
Nano
is
studying
and
making
tiny
things.
Nanote
compu
and
fas
www
.chi
pwo
rks.
com
w
w
w
.
c
h
i
p
w
o
r
k
s
.
c
o
m
Colorless
nanostructures
make
this
butterﬂy
blue.
Nano
is
all
around
us—in
nature
and
technology.
Nano-sized
gold
makes
glass
red,
pink,
or
purple.
ings
get
they
can
act
sing
ways.
w
w
w
.
n
a
n
o
c
o
m
posix.com
whatisnano.org
Block designs can
be downloaded from
whatisnano.org

nisenet.org
This
project
was
supported
by
the
National
Science
Foundation
Award
No.
0940143
BLOCK
3
Tiny
“hairs”
on
their
toes
let
geckos
walk
on
walls!
Nano
is
all
around
us—in
nature
and
technology.
A
.
K
e
l
l
a
r
,
L
e
w
i
s
&
C
l
a
r
k
C
o
l
l
e
g
e
Nano
is
studying
and
making
tiny
things.
One
day,
nanotechnologies
M
a
r
t
i
n
M
c
C
a
rthy
Nanotechnology
may
transform
the
way
we
live.
Our
DNA
is
only
2
nanometers
wide
Nano
is
studying
and
making
tiny
things.
Grant
No.
0940143
whatisnano.org
Nanotechnology
makes
computer
chips
smaller
and
faster.
www
.chi
pwo
rks.
com
w
w
w
.
c
h
i
p
w
o
r
k
s
.
c
o
m
Colorless
nanostructures
make
this
butterﬂy
blue.
all
around
ature
and
gy.
Nano-sized
gold
makes
glass
red,
pink,
or
purple.
w
w
w
.
n
a
n
o
c
o
m
posix.com
whatisnano.org
Block designs can
be downloaded from
whatisnano.org

nisenet.org
This
project
was
supported
by
the
National
Science
Foundation
Award
No.
0940143
BLOCK
4
Tiny
“
toes
l
on
wa
Nano
is
all
around
us—in
nature
and
technology.
Nano
is
studying
and
making
tiny
things.
Kenneth
Libbrecht,
Caltech,
www.snowcrystals.com
Nanotechnology
may
transform
the
way
we
live.
www
.chi
pwo
rks.
com
Colorless
nanostructures
make
this
butterﬂy
blue.
Nano
is
all
around
us—in
nature
and
technology.
Grant
No.
0940143
whatisnano.org
Nano-sized
gold
makes
glass
red,
pink,
or
purple.
Grant
No.
0940143
whatisnano.org
When
things
get
smaller,
they
can
act
in
surprising
ways.
w
w
w
.
n
a
n
o
c
o
m
posix.com
whatisnano.org
Block designs can
be downloaded from
whatisnano.org

nisenet.org
This
project
was
supported
by
the
National
Science
Foundation
Award
No.
0940143
BLOCK
5
Grant
No.
0940143
whatisnano.org
Tiny
“hairs”
on
their
toes
let
geckos
walk
on
walls!
Nano
is
all
around
us—in
nature
and
technology.
A
.
K
e
l
l
a
r
,
L
e
w
i
s
&
C
l
a
r
k
C
o
l
l
e
g
e
Nano
is
studying
and
making
tiny
things.
One
day
may
gro
way
sno
Kenneth
Libbrecht,
Caltech,
W
Nanotechnology
may
transform
the
way
we
live.
Nanote
compu
and
fas
www
.chi
pwo
rks.
com
w
w
w
.
c
h
i
p
w
o
r
k
s
.
c
o
m
Colorless
nanostructures
make
this
butterﬂy
blue.
Nano
is
all
around
us—in
nature
and
technology.
Grant
No.
0940143
whatisnano.org
Nano-sized
gold
makes
glass
red,
pink,
or
purple.
Grant
No.
0940143
whatisnano.org
ings
get
they
can
act
sing
ways.
w
w
w
.
n
a
n
o
c
o
m
posix.com
whatisnano.org
Block designs can
be downloaded from
whatisnano.org

nisenet.org
This
project
was
supported
by
the
National
Science
Foundation
Award
No.
0940143
BLOCK
6
Grant
No.
0940143
whatisnano.org
Tiny
“hairs”
on
their
toes
let
geckos
walk
on
walls!
Nano
is
all
around
us—in
nature
and
technology.
A
.
K
e
l
l
a
r
,
L
e
w
i
s
&
C
l
a
r
k
C
o
l
l
e
g
e
Grant
No.
0940143
whatisnano.org
Nano
is
studying
and
making
tiny
things.
One
day,
nanotechnologies
may
grow
themselves
the
way
snowﬂakes
do!
M
a
r
t
i
n
M
c
C
a
rthy
Kenneth
Libbrecht,
Caltech,
We
all
have
a
role
in
Nanotechnology
may
transform
the
way
we
live.
Our
DNA
is
only
2
nanometers
wide
Grant
No.
0940143
whatisnano.org
Nanotechnology
makes
computer
chips
smaller
and
faster.
www
.chi
pwo
rks.
com
w
w
w
.
c
h
i
p
w
o
r
k
s
.
c
o
m
Colorless
nanostructures
make
this
butterﬂy
blue.
all
around
ature
and
gy.
Grant
No.
0940143
whatisnano.org
Nano-sized
gold
makes
glass
red,
pink,
or
purple.
Grant
No.
0940143
whatisnano.org
w
w
w
.
n
a
n
o
c
o
m
posix.com
whatisnano.org
Block designs can
be downloaded from
whatisnano.org

107
nisenet.org
This
project
was
supported
by
the
National
Science
Foundation
Award
No.
0940143
BLOCK
7
Tiny
“
toes
l
on
wa
Kenneth
Libbrecht,
Caltech,
Nanotechnology
may
transform
the
way
we
live.
www
.chi
pwo
rks.
com
Colorless
nanostructures
make
this
butterﬂy
blue.
Grant
No.
0940143
whatisnano.org
Nano-sized
gold
makes
glass
red,
pink,
or
purple.
Grant
No.
0940143
whatisnano.org
w
w
w
.
n
a
n
o
c
o
m
posix.com
whatisnano.org
Block designs can
be downloaded from
whatisnano.org

109
nisenet.org
This
project
was
supported
by
the
National
Science
Foundation
Award
No.
0940143
BLOCK
8
Grant
No.
0940143
whatisnano.org
Tiny
“hairs”
on
their
toes
let
geckos
walk
on
walls!
A
.
K
e
l
l
a
r
,
L
e
w
i
s
&
C
l
a
r
k
C
o
l
l
e
g
e
One
day
may
gro
way
sno
Kenneth
Libbrecht,
Caltech,
W
sh
fu
Nanotechnology
may
transform
the
way
we
live.
Nanote
compu
and
fas
www
.chi
pwo
rks.
com
w
w
w
.
c
h
i
p
w
o
r
k
s
.
c
o
m
Colorless
nanostructures
make
this
butterﬂy
blue.
Grant
No.
0940143
whatisnano.org
Nano-sized
gold
makes
glass
red,
pink,
or
purple.
Grant
No.
0940143
whatisnano.org
w
w
w
.
n
a
n
o
c
o
m
posix.com
whatisnano.org
Block designs can
be downloaded from
whatisnano.org

111
nisenet.org
This
project
was
supported
by
the
National
Science
Foundation
Award
No.
0940143
BLOCK
9
Grant
No.
0940143
whatisnano.org
Tiny
“hairs”
on
their
toes
let
geckos
walk
on
walls!
A
.
K
e
l
l
a
r
,
L
e
w
i
s
&
C
l
a
r
k
C
o
l
l
e
g
e
Grant
No.
0940143
whatisnano.org
One
day,
nanotechnologies
may
grow
themselves
the
way
snowﬂakes
do!
M
a
r
t
i
n
M
c
C
a
rthy
Kenneth
Libbrecht,
Caltech,
Grant
No.
0940143
whatisnano.org
We
all
have
a
role
in
shaping
our
nano
future.
Nanotechnology
may
transform
the
way
we
live.
Our
DNA
is
only
2
nanometers
wide
Grant
No.
0940143
whatisnano.org
Nanotechnology
makes
computer
chips
smaller
and
faster.
www
.chi
pwo
rks.
com
w
w
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Colorless
nanostructures
make
this
butterﬂy
blue.
Grant
No.
0940143
whatisnano.org
Nano-sized
gold
makes
glass
red,
pink,
or
purple.
Grant
No.
0940143
whatisnano.org
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w
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posix.com
whatisnano.org
Block designs can
be downloaded from
whatisnano.org

0 nanometers
How Big Is Your Hand?
Try measuring in nanometers!
Nanometer Ruler

Match the Scent
Color in the balloons to match yours and write the names of the scents on the right.
Then use your nose to match them up!
Match the Scent

Draw Things That Smell Like…
vanilla
lemon

121
laser beam
tip cantilever
photodiode
sample
force between
sample surface and tip
laser beam
tip
photodiode
photodiode
ATOMIC FORCE MICROSCOPES,
or AFMs, are a kind of scanning probe
microscope. AFMs have a probe tip
mounted on the end of a cantilever.
When the tip is near the sample
surface, the cantilever is deflected,
or moved, by a force.
AFMs can detect many kinds of
forces, including physical contact,
electrostatic forces, and magnetic
forces. The deflection is measured
by a laser that is reflected off the top
of the cantilever and into an array of
photodiodes. AFMs can detect tiny
deflections—as small as a fraction of
a nanometer!
To analyze a sample, the AFM tip is
moved back and forth across the
surface many times. A computer
program combines the data and
creates an image.
What do you feel in the bag? Draw a picture!
When you feel an object and draw it, you’re modeling the way an SPM works.
This special tool “feels” a nanoscale surface and makes an image of it.
Emily
Maletz

123
Draw Graphene!
Continue the graphene structure by adding more carbon atoms
arranged in a honeycomb pattern.
Graphene is
only one atom
thick!
Graphene is
only one atom
thick!
iStock
Graphene Drawing Sheet

125
Dress Up Like a Nanoscientist!
Gary
Hodges
Nanoscientist Card

126 DIY Nano
Try this!
1. Have a friend stand a few feet in front of you.
Hold up this card and align your friend’s face
with the cutout.
2. Imagine your friend as a future nanoscientist!
If you have a camera (or phone with a camera),
take a picture!
Tip: To keep things in focus, you may need to
hold your arm straight out and have your friend
move further away from you.
whatisnano.org

127
Color These Butterflies Blue!
Real Blue Morpho butterfly wings are a bright, iridescent blue.
Surprisingly, their brilliant color is actually created by tiny, colorless nanostructures!
Light waves bounce off the tiny structures, reflecting blue light to your eyes.
Butterfly Coloring Sheet

129
Draw Your Own Robot!
Nano is all around us—in nature and in technology. Some researchers
are inspired by nature to create new materials and technologies.
Invent a robot inspired by nano in nature.
My robot’s name is
Its job is
It could change my life by
Robot Coloring Sheet

132DIY Nano
I Spy Nano! Find the hidden objects in the picture.
They all use nanotechnology!
Pencil
Carbon atoms can form graphite
(pencil “lead”), which is a very soft
material, but they can also form
diamond, the hardest natural material
known on Earth. Atoms are the
Diamond ring
Carbon atoms can form diamond, the
hardest natural material known on
Earth, but they can also form graphite,
a very soft material. Atoms are the
DNA
DNA stands for deoxyribonucleic acid.
DNA is present inside the cells of every
living thing. It contains the chemical
instructions and genetic information to
help organisms develop and function.
DNA is only two nanometers across.
Butterfly
The brilliant color of the Blue Morpho
butterfly is actually created by tiny,
colorless nanostructures! Light
waves bounce off the tiny structures,
reflecting blue light to your eyes.
Smartphone
Computer chips have tiny, nano-sized
parts. So when you use a smartphone,
computer, gaming console, or any
other electronic device with a chip,
you’re using nanotechnology!
Lemon
The shapes of scent molecules give
them their smell. Molecules are made
up of atoms. They’re measured in
nanometers, so your nose is your very
own nano detector!
Solar cell
New flexible solar cells contain
nano-sized structures and materials,
allowing them to be less expensive
and more efficient.
Sunblock
Many sunblocks contain nano-sized
particles of zinc oxide or titanium
dioxide, which protect skin from the
sun’s rays without leaving a visible
white film.
Ice cream
Nanotechnology is already on the
shelves of your supermarket. Edible
nanostructures make ice cream look
and taste better.
Golf club
Tiny carbon nanotubes make some
bicycles, golf clubs, and tennis rackets
stronger and lighter.
I Spy Nano!

134DIY Nano
Egg Drop
This activity was adapted from Liquid Body Armor
developed by the Children’s Museum of Houston for
the NISE Network. It is a modified version of the NISE
Network’s educational products Exploring materials—
Oobleck and DIY Nano Egg Drop developed by the
Sciencenter, Ithaca, NY.
Gravity Fail
This activity was adapted from “Shrinking Cups:
Changes in the Behavior of Materials at the Nanoscale,”
in Nanoscale Science: Activities for Grades 6–12 by M.
Gail Jones, Michael R. Falvo, Amy R. Taylor, and Bethany
P. Broadwell. pp. 89P94. Arlington, VA: NSTA Press. It is
a modified version of the NISE Network’s educational
products Exploring Forces—Gravity and DIY Nano
Gravity Fail developed by the Sciencenter, Ithaca, NY.
Ready, Set, Fizz
This activity is a modified version of the NISE Network’s
educational products Exploring Properties—Surface
Area and DIY Nano Ready, Set, Fizz developed by the
Smelly Balloons
educational products Exploring Size—Scented Balloons
and DIY Nano Smelly Balloons developed by the
Heat It Up
educational products Exploring Materials—Heat Transfer
and DIY Nano Heat It Up developed by the Sciencenter,
Ithaca, NY.
Mystery Shapes
educational products Exploring Tools—Mystery Shapes
and DIY Nano Mystery Shapes developed by the
Draw a Circuit
educational products Exploring Materials—Graphene
and DIY Nano Draw a Circuit developed by the
Mitten Challenge
This activity was adapted from “Nanoscale Activity:
Nanotechnology Mitten Challenge” developed by the
National Science Foundation-supported Internships in
Public Science Education (IPSE) Program at the Materials
Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC)
on Nanostructured Materials and Interfaces at the
University of Wisconsin-Madison. It is a modified version
of the NISE Network’s educational products Exploring
Tools—Mitten Challenge and DIY Nano Mitten Challenge
developed by the Sciencenter, Ithaca, NY.
Gummy Shapes
This activity was adapted from Sweet Self-Assembly,
developed by the Children’s Museum of Houston for
the NISE Network. It is a modified version of the NISE
Network’s educational products Exploring Fabrication—
Gummy Capsules and DIY Nano Gummy Shapes
developed by the Sciencenter, Ithaca, NY.
Rainbow Film
This activity was adapted from Create Some Iridescent
Art in the DragonflyTV Nano Educator’s Guide, published
by Twin Cities Public Television, 2009. It is a modified
version of the NISE Network’s educational products
Exploring Materials—Thin Film and DIY Nano Rainbow
Films developed by the Sciencenter, Ithaca, NY.
See DNA
educational products Exploring Tools—DNA and DIY
Nano See DNA developed by the Sciencenter, Ithaca, NY.
Morphing Butterfly
educational products Exploring Structures—Butterfly
and DIY Nano Morphing Butterfly developed by the
Sticky Sand
educational products Exploring Materials—Kinetic Sand
and DIY Nano Sticky Sand developed by the Sciencenter,
Ithaca, NY.
Space Elevator
educational products Exploring Nano & Society—Space
Elevator and DIY Nano Space Elevator developed by
the Sciencenter, Ithaca, NY in collaboration with the
Center for Nanotechnology in Society at Arizona State
University.
Science Activity Credits

135
Mystery Sand
The original version of this activity was adapted from
two sources. 1. Magic Sand, developed by the Materials
Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC)
on Nanostructured Materials and Interfaces at the
University of Wisconsin-Madison for the NISE Network.
2. “Magic Sand,” JCE Classroom Activity #23, Journal of
Chemical Education 77(1): 40A-40B, January 2000. It is
a modified version of the NISE Network’s educational
products Exploring Products—Nano Sand and DIY Nano
Mystery Sand developed by the Sciencenter, Ithaca, NY.
Invisible Sunblock
This activity was adapted from “Invisible Sunblock,”
developed by The Franklin Institute for the NISE
Network. It is a modified version of the NISE Network’s
educational products Exploring Products—Sunblock
and DIY Nano Invisible Sunblock developed by the
Stained Glass Art
The original version of this activity was adapted by the
Children’s Museum of Houston from NISE Network’s
Exploring Materials—Nano Gold activity. It is a modified
version of the NISE Network’s educational products
Exploring Products—Stained Glass and DIY Nano Stained
Glass Art developed by the Sciencenter, Ithaca, NY.
Nano Puzzle Blocks
educational products Giant Nano Puzzle Blocks and
DIY Nano Puzzle Blocks developed by the Sciencenter,
Ithaca, NY.
I Spy Nano!
The original version of this activity sheet was developed
by the Science Museum of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN for
the Explore Science—Zoom into Nano! Kit, as part of the
Museum & Community Partnerships project of the NISE
Network.

Do-it-Yourself (DIY) hands-on activities about nanoscale science designed for use at home by children and adults.

Do-it-Yourself (DIY) hands-on activities about nanoscale science designed for use at home by children and adults.

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